African Imperialism and Decolonization

What is imperialism?

A policy of exerting cultural, economic, or political influence over other societies.

What is colonialism?

A form of imperialism where one country controls the political and economic affairs of another nation.

What motivated European colonial expansion during the Industrial Revolution?

Economic gain, specifically the need for raw materials and markets for manufactured goods.

What racist ideology was used to justify imperialism?

The belief in the biological superiority of certain races and ethnicities.

What was the Berlin Conference?

A meeting held from November 1884 to February 1885 to set guidelines for the colonization of Africa, attended by representatives of fourteen countries.

Who was Nelson Mandela?

A key figure in the opposition to apartheid in South Africa and a leader of the African National Congress (ANC).

What led to the Second Boer War?

The discovery of gold in the Transvaal and the British desire to eliminate Boer influence.

What was apartheid?

A program of racial segregation implemented in South Africa after WWII, legally normalizing discrimination against non-white citizens.

What initiated the Rwandan genocide?

The political assassination of President Juvenal Habyarimana and the subsequent government-backed campaign against Tutsis.

Who was responsible for the colonial rule in the Congo?

King Leopold II of Belgium, who exploited the region for economic gain beginning in the 1880s.

What are some resources that motivated European colonization of Africa?

Gold, diamonds, copper, cobalt, rubber, and coffee.

What is Pan-Africanism?

A movement that stressed the unity and solidarity of African peoples, contributing to independence movements in Africa.

What was a significant consequence of the colonial legacy in Africa after independence?

Significant economic instability, lack of infrastructure, and civil wars due to the structures set by colonial rule.

What role did returning African soldiers from the World Wars play in decolonization?

They influenced independence movements by demanding equal treatment and rights after experiencing different worldviews while serving.

What was the impact of the Belgian colonization on Rwandan ethnic relations?

The Belgian colonists exacerbated ethnic divisions by favoring Tutsis over Hutus, leading to resentment and later violence.

What did the Population Registration Act of 1950 do in South Africa?

It divided citizens into 'white' and 'nonwhite' categories, further subdividing 'nonwhite' into 'colored', 'Asian', and 'Bantu'.